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Ghana stroll, Libya shock Tunisia

Ghana were the most impressive winners and Libya the surprise
package in the first qualifying round of the inaugural African
Nations Championship on Sunday.

Emmanuel Banahene scored the goals in Niamey as Ghana defeated
Niger 2-0, the same margin by which they won the first leg in a
competition restricted to footballers based in their country of
birth. Banahene plays for national title contenders Heart of Lions
from the remote northern town of Kpandu and team-mates John Boye
and Dominic Adiyiah scored the first-leg goals in Ghana two weeks
ago.

Youthful Libya, given little chance in the Tunisian
Mediterranean resort of Sousse after being held 1-1 at home, forced
a similar result at the base of African club champions Etoile Sahel
and won the penalty shootout.

Tanzania overturned a one-goal first-leg deficit against long
time regional rivals Kenya by winning 2-0 in Dar es Salaam with the
crucial goal from Nadir Haroub arriving deep in stoppage time. True
to the promise of Brazilian coach Marcio Maximo that Tanzania would
attack relentlessly, the home team kept Kenya on the back foot but
had to wait 77 minutes before Jerry Tegate scored to level the tie
on aggregate.

Robbed of victory in Eritrea by a stoppage-time penalty, Uganda
made no mistake in Kampala to triumph 3-0 via goals from Stephen
Bengo, Geoffrey Sserunkuma and Dan Wagaluka. Bengo scored off a
free kick to give the 'Cranes' a 1-0 half-time advantage
and a solo effort by serial scorer Sserunkuma demoralised Eritrea,
who came from behind twice in Asmara to force a 2-2 draw.

The introduction of Caeser Okhuti enlivened Uganda and he set up
the final goal for Wagaluka midway through the second half before
going close with a scorching shot. Eritrea were lucky not to suffer
a heavier loss as another Bengo free kick rebounded off the
crossbar and a header from defender Joseph Owino struck a post.

Hungary-born Uganda coach Laszlo Csaba lavished praise on rising
star Okhuti: "Caeser was not fit to start so I reserved him
for the final 30 minutes and he made a huge impact."

Zambia also won 3-0 at home to send Swaziland packing after a
drawn first leg with man of the match Kennedy Mudenda scoring one
goal and creating the others for Rodger Kola and Emmanuel Mayuka.
Dennis Fakudze wasted a good chance for the visitors just before
Kola converted an 18th-minute cross and unmarked Gina Mbuso
squandered an opportunity to equalise by shooting at goalkeeper
Mike Poto.

A Mudenda dribble and shot led to goalkeeper Njabuliso Simelane
spilling the ball into the path of Mayuka, who made no mistake, and
Clive Sichondwe set up the Zambian hero for the third goal.
Swaziland coach Raul Savoy blamed the heavy loss on the
sub-standard Lusaka hotel where the team were placed by their hosts
with music blaring until the middle of the night.

"How can Zambia give us accommodation where the band plays
until three o'clock in the morning? When your team came to
Swaziland they stayed in a top-class hotel, but you treated us like
animals," fumed the Swiss coach.

Mozambique edged neighbours Malawi on away goals after winning
1-0 in the northern town of Nampula courtesy of a first half goal
from Helder Pelembe after the visitors played under protest,
claiming the pitch was sub-standard.

Mauritania took a similar route to the second round, drawing 0-0
against fellow minnows Gambia in Nouakchott to earn a crack at much
tougher opponents Guinea next month.